Sunspots and 10m - Sat Aug 1st 2015

Sunspot number was 71 today (K=1) but 10m propagation is again "poor". Es is the only real hope for DX on 10m and 6m.

UPDATE 1827z:  There was some Es to Iberia earlier this morning on 10m WSPR and a brief Es opening to Scotland later, but not what I'd call spectacular.

UPDATE 1832z:  There was Es on 6m today, with SM0FUS (1383km) and EA1KV (1304km) spotted on 6m WSPR. No spectacular openings. G0OQK (98km) has been spotted very consistently through the day.

Yesterday's solar and 10m report

Although this was written it did NOT appear as I must have been distracted before pressing the  "publish" button.  My apologies.

Off air last night

Overnight I decided to go QRT on all bands.  I have now switched on 10m and 6m WSPR.

472kHz WSPR this evening

At the moment I am copying PA0A and G8HUH on 472kHz WSPR but, as yet,  no-one is copying my 5mW ERP signal. I shall remain on MF overnight.  At the same time I am on 10m WSPR (100% TX).

There was very little Es on 10m WSPR today with just DK6UG (633km) spotting me at teatime today on 10m WSPR.

Sunspots and 10m - Thursday July 30th 2015

Sunspot number has climbed further to 66 (K=1) but 10m propagation is expected to remain "poor" today yet again.  Es will again be the main hope on 10m and 6m. The main Es season in the northern hemisphere usually last through until September but the peak months are May, June and July. Careful observers may see really sporadic openings at other times. This is where WSPR could really help. There is a smaller peak around Dec/Jan.

Return to 472kHz WSPR

I QSYed down to 472kHz at 2000z. So far, no-one has spotted me but I have spotted PA0A (417km) and G8HUH (250km). I'll stay on overnight to see who copies me. Someone is bound to. I am still using 5mW ERP (at most) and the earth electrode "antenna". 472kHz is  more productive than the 6m band at night.  PA0A and G8HUH are among the better equipped MF stations with good ERPs. This autumn I must get a better antenna for MF erected. It would be good to have an ERP of 100mW - QRO for me!

6m WSPR Es

LA1IC appears to have reported my 10m WSPR as 6m by mistake early teatime. I think he changed bands but still was reporting some 10m spots as 6m ones. OK1DX (994km) was genuinely spotted at 1914z. I am still on 6m but may QSY to 630m (472kHz) shortly.

UPDATE 2050z:  I QSYed to MF at 2000z approximately. See next post.

Windows 10

If you want to upgrade to Windows 10 for free Steve G1KQH (Font of all knowledge) has given me this link:

Windows 10 for FREE!

http://gadgets.ndtv.com/laptops/features/how-to-download-and-install-windows-10-721215

 

73 Steve

http://g1kqh.blogspot.co.uk/

I have not tried this so caveat emptor. You use the link at your own risk.

Sunspots and 10m. Wed July 29th 2015

Sunspot number is 56 today (up a very little) and K=2. 10m propagation is expected to remain "poor". Early 10m Es livened up that band although 6m is quiet here so far.

Early Es on 10m WSPR, but 6m quiet

There was breakfast time Es on 10m WSPR with DK6UG (633km), OZ7IT (853km) and DK0SC (827km) all spotting me. I stayed on 6m through the night but only G0OQK (98km) and I exchanged spots on that band, but no Es DX spotted here on 6m. I should have gone to 630m overnight!